"The Shan People consist of 8 million people in eastern Burma in a territory, which borders to Thailand, Laos and China. Just as the case with the Mon and the Karenni, the Burmese central power is the main enemy in the struggle for self-determination. "

"After the 5th century, there is evidence of a flourishing Buddhist life in Burma. Activity of the Theravada and that of another school (probably the Sarvastivada)... can be documented. In the 7th century both Hinayana and Mahayana (especially in the north) coexisted. In the following century, Buddhist Tantrism penetrated Burma. In the 11th century the entire country was converted to Theravada under the rule of King Anaratha. This spelled the end of Mahayana in Burma. The Theravada gradually assimilated the indigenous folk belief in spirits called nats and gave it a Buddhist sense. "

"80% of the Burmese people, including virtually all Burmans, are Theravada Buddhists... it is an integral part of its peoples' lives... You will find a Buddha room, or a shrine, or a simple Buddha image... in most Burmese homes. "

Theravada Buddhism

Myanmar

34,000,000

85.00%

-

-

1990

Noss., David S. & John B. Noss. A History of the World's Religions. Macmillian (1990). pg. 227-228.

"Burma's recent population is etimated to be nearly forty million, approximately 85% Buddhist. About 5% could be described as animist, 4% Hindu, 4% Muslim and 2% Christian... The Burmese of today are profoundly Theravadin... "

"Only about one eighth of the 800,000 monks--or pongyis--in Burma have dedicated their entire lives to monkhood. These have renounced the world and devote their time to meditation and teaching the scriptures. "

Table: "Population Distribution of Major Beliefs "; "Figures have been compiled from the most accurate recent available information and are in most cases correct to the nearest 1% "; Listed as "Unspecified "

"The Chin people as a whole number about two million. In Myanmar (Burma), 400,000 live in the Chin state and about 800,000 Chin are scattered in other parts of Burma... " [NOTE: This statistic is of cultural/ethnic affiliation, NOT a count of current practitioners of traditional Chin religion, as almost all Chin today are Christian.]

"AEF began its work in 1970 with outreach to youth, especially among the Herero people. This resulted in a flourishing church in Windhoek, the capital city. Work began in northern Namibia in 1981 among Angolan refugees along the northern border. "

"Today, [AEF/SIM's] our missionaries work alongside Africa Inland Mission (AIM) missionaries at the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary in Windhoek, the Evangelical Bible Institute at Rundu, with churches along the Caprivi Strip, and in several secondary schools. "

"Figures are for BWA affiliated conventions/unions only (no independents included). "; Table with 3 columns: Country, "Churches ", & "Members "; "1997/1998 Totals "; [BWA stats. in individual countries are sum of figures for member bodies of BWA in the countries.]; [County population figures for 1998 from United Nations data available here.]

"Religion:... Traditional African beliefs are very strong; some one-half of the population follows traditional beliefs. Christianity is the second-largest religion, with Protestants 29% and Roman Catholics 10%... "

Catholic

Namibia

269,000

17.00%

67units

-

1995

1998 Catholic Almanac: Our Sunday Visitor: USA (1997), pg. 333-367.

Figures are as of Dec. 31, 1995. Number used for "congregations " is from number of Catholic parishes.

"Religion:... Traditional African beliefs are very strong; some one-half of the population follows traditional beliefs. Christianity is the second-largest religion, with Protestants 29% and Roman Catholics 10%... "

"There is no official religion, although some 90% of the population is Christian. The majority of the Christians are Lutheran, followed by Roman Catholic, Dutch Reformed, and Anglican. The rest of the population practice traditional African religions. "

"Location: Namibia; Population: 1,700,000 "; Pg. 321: "Namibians describe themselves as very spiritual. European missionaries saw early success here, and today 90% are Christians, mostly Lutheran. While it is typical for Africans to incorporate traditional animist beliefs and practices into their religious life, less than 20% of Namibians claim to do so. "

"Religion:... Traditional African beliefs are very strong; some one-half of the population follows traditional beliefs. Christianity is the second-largest religion, with Protestants 29% and Roman Catholics 10%; other religions make up 11%. "

"Location: Namibia; Population: 1,700,000 "; Pg. 321: "Namibians describe themselves as very spiritual. European missionaries saw early success here, and today 90% are Christians, mostly Lutheran. While it is typical for Africans to incorporate traditional animist beliefs and practices into their religious life, less than 20% of Namibians claim to do so. "

Table: "Population Distribution of Major Beliefs "; "Figures have been compiled from the most accurate recent available information and are in most cases correct to the nearest 1% "; Protestant "includes all non-Roman Catholic denominations "

"Religion:... Traditional African beliefs are very strong; some one-half of the population follows traditional beliefs. Christianity is the second-largest religion, with Protestants 29% and Roman Catholics 10%... "

"AEF began its work in 1970 with outreach to youth, especially among the Herero people. This resulted in a flourishing church in Windhoek, the capital city. Work began in northern Namibia in 1981 among Angolan refugees along the northern border. Today, [SIM's] our missionaries work alongside Africa Inland Mission (AIM) missionaries at the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary in Windhoek, the Evangelical Bible Institute at Rundu, with churches along the Caprivi Strip, and in several secondary schools. "

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